Art, Film and Literature: Unfiltered

I couldn't help but feel for the gal in the beginning of the film who does an ear wrenching rendition of Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved." That song happens to be on a playlist where I attempt to nurture my inner insecure teenager entitled, "I am a Beautiful Person." When I push the center button on my phone 5 times, that's what it says...stupid game. She gets taken for a sum of cash by Bill Murray's character but he gets his just desserts and a shot at redemption overseas. My dad didn't think much of it, but we watched it over pizza together and at least it has a good soundtrack. Zooey Deschanel only makes a brief appearance, along with Bruce Willis. Kate Hudson is the real supporting actress of the film, an endearing prostitute who reminded me of my affinity for the film St. Vincent. It was worth a second watch with my boy in Austin. I highly enjoyed the film.  fun stuff

I was watching Forrest Gump with a friend and he made that remark, to which I couldn't help but grin. I wish I would have included something about music in the title of this blog because now I want to ramble on about Jenny Lewis, but I'm trying to get this thing back on track after all the weird posts that were meant for my other blog www.stevisstoriedlife.blogspot.com . Anyway, let's talk about X-MEN: Apocalypse, which I just watched. It was fantastic, and there's really nothing I can say about it without giving it away. Peter is my favorite. I'm a fan of these last three prequels. enjoy them much more than the earlier films. Moving on! What else have I watched recently...? I can't think. Honestly, this is a lame excuse for an earnest post, but I think I'm leaning towards reviewing an actual book next time. Adios! #failsauce

No, not the Marvel movie. I'm talking about the 1998 film starring Uma Thurman and Ralph Fiennes (who looks damn good when he's not all Voldy btw). If you've never heard of this film, which received some of the worst reviews in movie history, as well as a Razzie award for worst remake or sequel, it's based on a 1960s British TV series. When Americans redo British shows, they typically pale in comparison  (with the exception of The Office, which is infinitely better, from what I've seen). The quick-witted, subtle humor often fails to excite the audience to laughter and awareness that there is in fact great chemistry between the two protagonists (a magazine also voted the pair the worst of all time). If we don't actually see them engaged in the sweaty throes of passion, there's obviously nothing there, right? The attraction is evident, but there's nothing wrong with exercising some restraint in the name of mutual respect and maintaining an air of profe...

"At some point, you have to choose between life and fiction. The two are very close, but they never actually touch." -Clay Hammond as portrayed by Dennis Quaid This 2012 film reveals the truth behind what it takes to become a great writer. It is a story within a story. Middle aged author, Clay Hammond, writes of aspiring young writer, Rory Jansen (Bradley Cooper), who finds an old manuscript inside a leather portfolio his wife, Dora (Zoe Saldana), buys him on their honeymoon in Paris. Jansen falls in love with the story and finds himself within its pages, needs to feel the words for himself, so he copies the manuscript, word for word, on his computer.  Dora finds the story, reads it and when she greets him with tearful praises for the greatness of the work, Rory decides to claim it as his own. He takes it to the publishing company where he works, as Dora had encouraged, and he becomes an overnight success. An old man (Jeremy Irons) confronts Jansen in the park on...

SHE DIED ON A CRUISER BIKE.